Tennessee losing a women’s basketball game on its home court isn’t as newsworthy as it once was. Missouri’s early January victory at Thompson-Boling Arena proved that.

UT fans who express themselves on social media seemed more upset about Sophie Cunningham’s high-flying elbow than they were about losing a game they should have won. Even former Tennessee players chimed in.

The source of their discontent was a third-quarter Cunningham drive to the basket that began with a high-rising left elbow to Rennia Davis’ head. Cunningham was called for an unsportsmanlike foul, Davis was unhurt, and Missouri pushed on to victory.

No doubt, Tennessee fans will remember that when the teams meet again Sunday, in Columbia, Mo.

The elbow incident wasn’t an aberration. If you polled SEC players and coaches on who’s the dirtiest player in the league, Cunningham would win by acclamation.

And if you also polled players and coaches on who’s the most competitive player in the league, Cunningham might top that list, too.

Let’s set the dirty-or-aggressive debate aside for now as UT prepares for its rematch with the Tigers. Instead, try putting the wayward elbow behind you and imagine Cunningham playing for Tennessee.

And face the fact: She is just what the Lady Vols need.

Missouri's Sophie Cunningham (3) yells out after Missouri gets possession of the ball in the final seconds of the game against Tennessee on Sunday, January 6, 2019.(Photo: Saul Young/News Sentinel)

Cunningham is not only one of the SEC’s best players, she’s one of the most versatile. She can beat you from the post or 3-point range.

Tennessee often suffers at both.

But Cunningham’s value extends beyond shooting. You can see that when her teammates huddle around her during a break in the action or when she directs traffic on the fly.

UT doesn’t have a player like that. It hasn’t had a player like that for too long.

Of course, leadership must come from the top — in this case, coach Holly Warlick. However, it helps to have on-the-court leadership, too. Good teams often do.

Missouri's Sophie Cunningham (3) yells out after drawing a foul against Tennessee on Sunday, January 6, 2019.(Photo: Saul Young/News Sentinel)

Recent Tennessee teams have tended to wander aimlessly through portions of games. That’s been apparent for so long, such wandering often goes unnoticed.

It becomes more apparent when Tennessee is playing a team like Missouri, which can’t match UT in size or athleticism but is far better oriented to the art of teamwork and playing within its system. Coach Robin Pingeton deserves much of the credit for that.

But it's not just about coaching. It also makes a difference when your best player is a leader. When was the last time Tennessee could say that?

Jaime Nared and Mercedes Russell were the most talented, experienced players on last season’s team. But they weren’t leaders. Diamond DeShields, the best player on the 2016-17 team, was even more talented. She wasn’t a leader, either.